The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of various combinations of anti-HIV drugs in HIV-positive men and women. Patients receive specific combinations of 3 or 4 of the following 6 drugs: didanosine (ddI), stavudine (d4T) efavirenz (EFV), nelfinavir (NFV), lamivudine (3TC), or zidovudine (ZDV).

Anti-HIV therapy is effective in preventing the spread of HIV in the body. However, patients often experience unpleasant side effects and have difficulties following the dosing schedule. This study looks for combinations of anti-HIV drugs ("cocktails") which will be the most effective with the fewest problems.

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Estimated Enrollment:

900

Study Completion Date:

November 2002

Detailed Description:

Highly active antiretroviral therapy, though effective in the suppression of HIV proliferation, is often complicated by difficulties with adherence and drug toxicity. Various combinations of highly active antiretroviral therapy exist; all have proved efficacious in related trials. The question addressed in this trial is which combination of antiretroviral "cocktails" provides the single greatest advantage in preventing the spread of HIV in the body. In effect, which therapy provides the greatest benefit with the fewest complications.

Regularly prescribed medications, such as antipyretics, analgesics, allergy medications, antidepressants, sleep medications, oral contraceptives, megestrol acetate (Megace), testosterone, or any other medications, as medically indicated unless otherwise prohibited by the protocol. NOTE: Due to the possibility that study medications may alter the effectiveness of oral contraceptives or depoprogesterone, these agents must not be used as the sole form of birth control, because the role of some study medications on the effectiveness of these methods has not yet been established.

Alternative therapies, such as vitamins.

Medications requiring low gastric pH if not administered at the same time as buffered ddI. Patients taking these agents should do so at least 2 hours before ddI.]

ddI, as clinically indicated in patients with known risk factors, including, but not limited to, alcohol abuse, morbid obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, cholelithiasis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, use of medications known to cause pancreatitis (e.g., pentamidine) and use of medications known or thought to increase exposure to ddI (e.g., HU, allopurinol).]

Concurrent Treatment:

[Allowed:

AS PER AMENDMENT 7/5/00:

Acupuncture and visualization techniques.]

Patients must have:

HIV infection, as documented by any licensed ELISA test kit and confirmed by either Western blot, HIV culture, HIV antigen, plasma HIV-1 RNA, or a second antibody test by a method other than ELISA at any time prior to study entry.

Plasma HIV-1 RNA of 500 copies/ml or more, confirmed by the Roche Amplicor assay only and performed within 60 days [AS PER AMENDMENT 5/5/99:

Rifabutin for patients on RTV in Step 3 and for patients on Steps 1 and 2 because of the contradictory effects of EFV and NFV on plasma rifabutin levels. If a patient on Step 1 or 2 requires treatment with rifabutin after coming on the study, the team must be notified.

Systemic ketoconazole or itraconazole, intravenous pentamidine, and rifabutin are prohibited. Midazolam is allowed for sedation in patients participating on ACTG 723.]

Any vaccination within 14 days prior to study entry.

Any immunomodulator or investigational therapy within 30 days prior to study entry.

[AS PER AMENDMENT 5/5/99:

6. Rifabutin is discouraged.]

Prior Treatment:

Excluded:

Acute therapy for an infection or other medical illness within 14 days prior to study entry.

[AS PER AMENDMENT 5/5/99:

Acute therapy for a serious infection or other serious medical illness that is potentially life-threatening and requires systemic therapy and/or hospitalization within 14 days of study entry. Patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia must have completed acute therapy at least 7 days prior to entry and be clinically stable. Patients with other serious infection or serious medical illness who must continue chronic therapy must have completed at least 14 days of therapy prior to entry and be clinically stable. Patients with all other infections or medical illnesses must have completed therapy, or at least 14 days of maintenance therapy, prior to entry and be clinically stable (restrictions do not apply to oral and vaginal candidiasis, mucocutaneous herpes simplex infection, and minor skin conditions).]

Risk Behavior:

Excluded:

Possible current substance abuse that could prevent compliance with the study medication.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00000919